SW Trails Urban Hike #6: Multnomah Village to Woods Park
This urban hike starts and ends in the cute Multnomah Village, where you can start or end with a drink and/or a meal. Plus, you can check on the books in one of the two free libraries boxes on the main strip. The one shaped like a classic British phone booth was built in remembrance of my friend Cassy, who lived in the neighborhood, loved books, and forever touched the lives of hundreds of people in her short time on this earth.
Summary
The Multnomah Village to Woods Park urban hike is okay. I like how it incorporates Multnomah Village but a good portion of hike is on the shoulder of SW Garden Home Road. There isn’t a sidewalk. There is enough room to walk but it felt a little too tight for my liking. We had to keep our dog on a tight leash so he wouldn’t meander onto the road. I don’t see it being great for strollers or other wheeled vehicles either.
There’s also a spot while you’re following a curve in the road where the Explorer for ArcGIS app map makes it look like there’s a path in a green space on the right side of the road. There isn’t.
SW Hike #6: Multnomah Village to Woods Park
Neighborhood: Multnomah Village, Ash Creek - Portland, OR
Distance: 3.8 miles
Elevation Change: 216ft
Start/End: Multnomah Village Arts Center, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy.
Mobile Map
However, after you get off of Garden Home Road, this hike takes you through some tucked away neighborhoods and around the field of an old Portland school not currently in use. You’ll also cut through a small portion of Woods Memorial Natural Area and past a very cool playground for kids.
This urban hike is pretty easy and not strenuous. The only noticeable elevation is at the end when you’re walking up SW 30th back up to Multnomah Village.
Directions
- From the front of the Multnomah Arts Center, start walking south on SW Capitol Hwy towards the center of the village where the majority of the shops and restaurants are.
- Stay on the left side of the street, the same side where the shop Peggy Sundays is and use the sidewalk to go over the overpass.
- Take a right onto SW Garden Home Road. You should see a bus stop for route #45 (the sign might be engulfed in a bush).
- Walk all the way down to SW 54th, then take a left. This is a skinny road that feels like a private drive to the houses that line both sides of the street.
- Right on SW Dolph Ct. This is actually a dirt path that goes between the houses there.
- Left on SW Dolph Drive.
- After you pass the houses, take the set of stairs on the left hand side of the road. This will lead you to the Smith School playfield.
- At the top of the steps, turn right and follow the worn path in the grass and walk the perimeter of the field. Or cross the field and go around to the front of the school.
- Use the set of stairs to get up to SW 52nd Ave, where you’ll take a left.
- At the crosswalk on SW Marigold, take a right. You’ll go straight for about 4 blocks and then see a Dead End sign. Again, don’t worry, that sign is for cars so keep going straight.
- When you see a sign for the Marigold Trail, take it and it will zig zag you through a short woodsy area. At the bottom of the hill, you’ll be on SW 45th Dr.
- Cross the street and go left. You’ll find a continuation of the Marigold Trail into the Woods Natural Area. While the Woods Natural Area is large, you’ll only go through a short portion of it.
- When the trail forks, take the path to the left. This will take you out of the nature area and onto SW Marigold St.
- Go to 42nd and take a left.
- Right on SW Lobelia St.
- Left onto SW Capital Hwy for a quick block.
- Take first right onto SW Dolph Ct. You will pass by the very nice Spring Garden Park, which is a great playground with a view. There’s a restroom here and a water fountain for humans and dogs.
- Go down the hill, then left onto SW 30th Ave.
- You’ll go up a slight incline, then take a left at SW Hume St.
- Take a right at SW 31st Ave and walk up the hill back to the Multnomah Arts Center.
